Half an hour hour gone. The hosts are enjoying lots of possession but can't find a way through Stoke's defence, which is performing much better than in the previous two games against Liverpool and Tottenham.

Giannelli Imbula goes close for the visitors from distance - Stoke are standing toe-to-toe with Manchester City.

Image source, .

John F Galt: What are the odds that Man City win four straight league matches and Man Utd implode, starting at Wembley today?

Jimmy Armfield
Ex-England captain at the Etihad Stadium for BBC Radio 5 live

"City showed much more life in those last couple of moves and that was because they got Silva and Kolarov onto the ball."

Image source, PA

No doubt about it - the shadow of Real Madrid is looming large over the Etihad. Manchester City have yet to get into their stride although David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov are seeing more of the ball in and around the Stoke area.

Still goalless at the Etihad but Stoke appear to have forgotten how to pass when they get past the halfway line. 

As the red arrows below indicate, 13 of their passes in the Manchester City half have been unsuccessful.

Image source, Opta

Jimmy Armfield
Ex-England captain at the Etihad Stadium for BBC Radio 5 live

"That was a chance. It came to Shawcross no more than six or seven yards out but he shot wide."

"That is a warning for City."

Marc Muniesa curls a cross into the home area which could have been tricky for Joe Hart but no red and white shirt can make contact. Ryan Shawcross has also had a chance. Encouragement for the visitors.

Manchester City have become sloppy. Passes are not meeting their intended targets and Stoke have momentum. 

The subdued atmosphere is not helping. This has a feel of an end of season game with not much to play for yet City need the points to keep alive hopes of a top four finish.

Jimmy Armfield
Ex-England captain at the Etihad Stadium for BBC Radio 5 live

"Manchester City need to get Silva into the game, so many things happen when he is on the ball. 

"He has great vision more than anything."

Image source, PA

Manchester City have failed to build on their early flourish and Stoke win a free-kick about 30 yards from goal. 

It's drilled in hard by Glenn Whelan and Joe Hart is forced to beat it behind for a corner.

Hart never looked like being beaten but it keeps the England keeper on his toes.

Quiet atmosphere at the Etihad - definitely a case of the calm before the Champions League storm ahead of Real Madrid's visit on Tuesday.

Quite a few empty seats dotted around the ground too. Some City fans are clearly saving themselves for midweek.

This is already developing into a familiar pattern - City are dominating possession while Stoke are packing the defence.

Patience could be a key word for City fans.

Image source, PA

Very encouraging signs from Kelechi Iheanacho who is only a whisker away after letting fly from the edge of the area following a terrific pasage of play by Sergio Aguero.

Jimmy Armfield
Ex-England captain at the Etihad Stadium for BBC Radio 5 live

"The noisy neighbours are looking over Man City's shoulder and if they don’t produce today United will know they have a real chance. 

"City were disappointed not to get the win against Newcastle but give credit to Newcastle.

"Right now, this is a very important match for Pellegrini against Stoke."

Neat and tidy start by Manchester City. David Silva is right at the heart of their opening attack which breaks down after one pass too many. 

Sergio Aguero has dropped deep with young Kelechi Iheanacho pushing further forward.

Will the teenager find the net against veteran Stoke keeper Shay Given, who celebrated his 40th birthday this week?

Up and running at the Etihad. 

Image source, Reuters

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes: "We need to get our performances levels back up. I have said many times that more often than not we bounce back from periods we have not been at our best. 

"On any day it would be difficult to overcome City, the challenge is there for us but we have the chance to get the most points in the Premier League we have had so it is an important game for us.”

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini: “It is important to make some rotations. I think we have to play 12 points more, we can’t drop more points. We have to play Arsenal at home – that is important.”

The teams are out on the pitch, It's a glorious spring afternoon in Manchester. The sun is shining brightly, the playing surface looks immaculate.

Great scenes as City's players stepped off the team coach before heading for the dressing room. 

Dozens and dozens of youngsters lined up on both sides of the metal barriers outside the main entrance hoping Sergio Aguero would tap their hands as he made his way down the line. And he did. Top effort.